School holidays can be an expensive affair, so here’s a list of free winter school holiday events Melbourne. That’s a free event you could visit, every day of the holidays!
- Winter Street Party Werribee (Fri 28 Jun) – See the city light up after dark, with beautiful light installations, street performers, kids’ activities and warming winter treats from city traders.
- Docklands Firelight Festival (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 30 Jun) – the traditions of a winter solstice and a modern celebration of arts, music, food, fire and fun.
- EID @ FOOTSCRAY (Sat 29 Jun) – Immerse yourself in the vibrant Eid festivities of the many Muslim cultures that enrich multicultural Maribyrnong. Experience: food samplings, Ethiopian coffee, Henna, interactive arts, communal prayers and Qawwali.
- School Holidays: Winter Wonderland Creations (Mon 1 Jul – Fri 5 Jul) – The school holidays are just around the corner and we are thrilled to invite you to an enchanting week of winter-themed activities that will delight the whole family!
- Winter Wonderland (Mon 1 Jul – Fri 5 Jul) – Join the fun at our free winter themed school holidays! Sensory craft, an igloo photobooth and even a scavenger hunt.
- FREE School Holiday Fun! (Mon 1 Jul – Fri 12 Jul) – Enjoy Free School Holiday Fun, where kids can participate in an interactive ‘Kids in the Kitchen’ workshop during week 1, followed by a week of engaging mindful activities such as kids yoga, coloring, and bead craft in week 2.
- Winter School Holidays at Queen Victoria Market (Tue 2 Jul, Thu 4 Jul, Tue 9 Jul, and Thu 11 Jul) – Get ready for a giant tumble of geometric planks, where little ones can explore their creativity and collaboration as they create giant shapes to craft larger-than-life snowflakes.
- Kids Takeover: After Dark (Wed 3 Jul) – Let your kids take charge at this one-day winter extravaganza, where they’ll dominate the Library with arts, hip-hop, magic, and more.
- Firefly Night Market (Sat 6 Jul) – fun for the whole family with roving performers, interactive art, street food, artisan stalls, cultural activities and live performances.
- NAIDOC Week 2024 Dandenong Market (Sun 7 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – Recognising the history and achievement of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples, this event contributes to the movement for our elders and original owners of the land both past and present.
- NAIDOC Week Oration by Uncle Charles Pakana (Mon 8 Jul) – This year Moonee Valley’s NAIDOC Week events will commence with a NAIDOC-themed oration delivered by Uncle Charles Pakana at the Incinerator Gallery.
- NAIDOC Week: Indigenous Cultural Presentation on Fire (Tue 9 Jul) – Discover the importance of fire and smoke in this educational Indigenous presentation.
- NAIDOC Week Children’s Craft Workshops (Tue 9 Jul) – Join for FREE NAIDOC Week children’s craft workshops. Let the kids enjoy painting and colouring during these school holidays.
- Kids Passport Queen Victoria Market (Every market day) – Collect your passport, then journey around the Market collecting stamps from our friendly traders, before making your way to the Queen Victoria Market Visitor Hub to claim your prize.
- Winter Night Market (Wed 5 Jun – Wed 28 Aug) – Rug up in your winter woollies and head to the Market for Melbourne’s best street food trucks and stalls, local brewers and distillers, shopping and lively entertainment.
- Aboriginal Housing Victoria’s annual NAIDOC Family Day (Wed 10 Jul) -The theme of NAIDOC Week 2024, “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud,” celebrates the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture, with fire symbolizing connection to Country, community, and traditions
- Josh Deane: Crackle of the Cockatoos (Wed 10 Jul – Tue 16 Jul) – This intriguing installation by Palawa contemporary artist Josh Deane features a group of paper mache cockatoos, with each sculpture incorporating paper as a tribute to the library environment.
- NAIDOC Exhibition Opening: Keep The Fire Burning (Thu 11 Jul) – Bluethumb is pleased to announce its annual NAIDOC week exhibition, ‘Keep The Fire Burning,’ which is dedicated to supporting the creative endeavours of Indigenous artists.
- BLAKtivism. Build Blak Power. Fight for Change (Thu 11 Jul) – At this reflective and provocative panel event, Bebe Oliver discusses the currency of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activism, guided by Laniyuk, Apryl Day and Iluka Sax-Williams.
- NAIDOC Week: The Little Long Walk at EF (Thu 11 Jul) – For the third year, join us this NAIDOC Week for the Little Long Walk at Essendon Fields.
- Haus of Dizzy Charm Bracelet Workshop (Thu 11 Jul) – Welcome to the ultimate bling-tastic workshop with self-confessed ‘Queen of Bling’, Wiradjuri designer Kristy Dickinson of Haus of Dizzy. Kristy’s jewellery celebrates and honours Aboriginal culture through bold and statement-making accessories.
- NAIDOC 2024 KHT NAIDOC Market (Fri 12 Jul – Sat 13 Jul) – The 2024 NAIDOC Week theme is “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud, and Proud,” symbolizing the enduring strength, vitality, and traditions of First Peoples cultures.
- NAIDOC in the City (Fri 12 Jul) – Following the annual NAIDOC march, NAIDOC in the City is an exciting celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, achievements and talents.
- Bastille Day French Festival (Sat 13 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – Shop from local French stallholders, indulge in mouth-watering delicacies, plus delight in traditional dance and musical performances from French jazz, Mauritian bands and mime artists!
- NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATION 2024 (Sat 13 Jul) – Each year NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia to acknowledge the rich history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Melbourne Zoo Community Day (Sun 14 Jul) – Join us to close out NAIDOC week with a range of First Nations led activities for children, young people and families. A collaboration by Aboriginal Melbourne and Melbourne Zoo.
- Junior Ranger Bush Food and Bizarre Bugs (Sun 14 Jul) – Kids! Why are bugs important to the world? What is bush food? Discover the answer to these questions and more in these activities led by City of Melbourne Park Rangers and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
- Linden New Art’s NAIDOC Week Community Day (Sun 14 Jul) – Linden New Art’s NAIDOC Week Community Day promises an engaging blend of cultural immersion and community building.
- Free Guided Walk (Until Tue 31 Dec) – Led by a passionate guide, discover sensational views and the remarkable plant diversity of this sanctuary in the middle of bustling Melbourne.
- Seek and Find Nature Cards (Until Sun 31 Dec) Set your young ones on an adventure exploring nature with our Seek and Find Nature Cards to be used at Melbourne Gardens or download the cards and go exploring in your own neighbourhood.
- Free face painting Prahran Market (Thursdays) – face painter, Alysha, from Paint The Party.
- Prahran Market Mini Marketeers (Tuesdays) – Enjoy free, guided activities teaching toddlers the fundamentals of eating well and putting the ‘yum’ in healthy food choices.
- ECOSS Valley Market (Fridays) – Experience the vibrant Valley Markets, connecting local growers, artisans, and musicians in the heart of the Yarra Valley.
- Eynesbury Winter Festival (Thur 27 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – The perfect winter outing for the entire family! Hit the ice rink, enjoy some tasty winter food & drinks and more.
- Junior Rangers (Ongoing) – Parks Victoria Ranger guided activities in various locations. Including Minibeast Discovery at Brimbank Park and Organ Pipes National Park. Read the Junior Rangers review.
- NGV TEENS: DROP BY AND MAKE A BUSH FLOWER WITH SOPHIE HONESS (Daily) – This school holidays, join artist Sophie Honess in a free workshop making a bush flower inspired pom-pom to decorate your school bag. Together with the NGV Teen Council, meet like-minded people and develop your skills at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square
- The Story of the Moving Image (ongoing) – Journey through the past, present and future of the moving image through interactive experiences, digital innovation and captivating stories. ACMI review.
- Shrine Kids (ongoing) – free discovery trail for children at the Shrine of Remembrance. Shrine Kids review
- Bunnings D.I.Y Kids Workshop (Sat 8 Jul – Sun 9 Jul) – Get your kids to build their own crate for free in stores where they’ll be rewarded with a ‘License To D.I.Y’ certificate once their masterpiece is complete!
- KNOX events, activities and festivals for everyone (Mon 26 Jun – Tue 26 Sep) – Explore a wide range of activities, festivals, and events happening near you. Join in the fun and embrace the vibrant community spirit.
- Mini Twitchers Heide (ongoing) – Be a twitcher for a day and spot some beautiful birds in the Heide Sculpture park! Use a map to locate each area where the twelve painted birds are hidden in trees in the sculpture park. Children under 16 FREE.
- Eastland (Ongoing) – Sign up to the free mini & me kids club at Eastland (for kids 4 and under) and receive exclusive offers, invites to free events, and $5 valet parking! FREE.
Also remember that your local library and Melbourne Library Service hold free events plus check out the free ongoing Shrine Kids discovery trail for children at the Shrine of Remembrance. Full review.
Finally check out the following lists for free inspiration:
